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LAKE CHARLES, La. , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wavegate Corporation, a pioneering developer of neuromodulation technology for chronic pain management, has secured a lead investor in their $26 million Series A funding round led by UCEA Capital Partners Ltd., a London -based investment firm. This financing will accelerate the development of Wavegate's proprietary Ellipse TM platform, featuring StimuLux TM technology, designed to provide breakthrough therapeutic solutions for chronic pain patients. Wavegate's Ellipse TM spinal cord stimulator uses optical reflectometry to provide closed-loop adaptive modulation, uniquely adjusting stimulation in real-time based on spinal cord movement. This technology, which received FDA Breakthrough Device designation, offers significant potential to improve the lives of chronic pain sufferers by maintaining consistent pain relief across a range of patient activities using either paresthesia-based or paresthesia-free neuromodulation. Wavegate also recently achieved successful first-in-human data, further validating the clinical promise of its Ellipse TM platform. "Securing this funding represents a pivotal moment for Wavegate as we continue to push the boundaries in neuromodulation technology," said Dr. Erich Wolf , CEO of Wavegate Corporation. "UCEA's investment validates the potential of our innovations and supports our vision of advancing effective, patient-centered pain management solutions." The investment by UCEA Capital Partners aligns with its strategic focus on supporting transformative healthcare technologies. "Wavegate's approach to neuromodulation reflects exactly the type of high-impact, innovation-driven opportunity we seek to champion. We are thrilled to support their journey in addressing a critical area of unmet medical need," noted Joao Teixeira , Chairman of UCEA Capital Partners Ltd. The Series A funding will be instrumental in expanding Wavegate's R&D efforts, clinical trials, and preparations for regulatory approvals, marking a significant step forward for the company as it progresses toward commercialization. For more information on Wavegate Corporation, visit wavegate.us . Media Contact: Marla Miller , JD, LLM Corporate Secretary [email protected] +1-337-419-1360 SOURCE Wavegate CorporationThe Washington Commanders will be looking to clinch a playoff spot when they host the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday night, and they'll need all the help they can get. Some of that help could be on the way in the form of Jonathan Allen. Commanders DT Jonathan Allen said he’s preparing as if he’ll play Sunday vs. the Falcons. “It should be this week, but if not, I’ll be ready whenever the time comes to get back out there.” pic.twitter.com/uWcCGjqhXw Allen, who was previously thought to be out for the season with a torn pectoral that he suffered in Week 6, was unexpectedly re-activated for practice last week. He was a full participant on Thursday, and is considered expected to play in Week 17. Getting Allen back would be a massive boost for Washington's defense, which has been inconsistent in 2024 without its heart and soul. Allen is the longest-tenured player for the Commanders on that side of the ball, a stalwart ever since he was drafted in the first round in 2017. Allen is a two-time Pro Bowler in 2021 and 2022, and has recorded 41 career sacks in 107 games -- all with Washington. This season he was off to a slow start with only two sacks and 15 total tackles in six games, but his most valuable production is sometimes just his presence alone. There's no overstating how valuable Allen's veteran leadership will be for a playoff run, and it's best to get him warmed up ahead of time if possible. The fact that this option exists is huge for the Commanders, and ideally Allen will be able to play a role in helping his teammates clinch their postseason bid on Sunday.
Michael Cole, ‘Mod Squad’ Star, Dies at 84Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Update 2024: FDA Approvals, Therapeutic Advancements, and Key Companies Involved by DelveInsight | Merck KGaA, Peptinov, LG Chem, Akan Bioscience, BioTissue,Inc., Eupraxia
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Membership Of UK's Anti-immigration Reform Party Surpasses ConservativesSM approaches 2025 with cautious optimism
Man City turns into laughing stock after heavy loss to Tottenham: "This is unprecedented"The holidays are almost here, and upcoming Black Friday sales might have you thinking about upgrading your computer setup. Black Friday is indeed a great time to save big on higher-priced items like electronics. If you're still working or gaming from a laptop screen, it might be time to think about a first or second monitor to give you more screen space. But with so many options to choose from, selecting a monitor can seem like a daunting task. What size? What resolution? What price? Choosing just the right monitor doesn't have to be overwhelming. Dell has monitors that fit every style of user and their specific needs; here's what to consider when making your decision. For top-notch color, resolution and brightness If you're seeking the best in color, resolution and brightness, you probably want to go for the Dell UltraSharp 27 Inch 4K USB-C Hub Monitor. This high-end model offers stunning visuals that are paired with Dell's ComfortView Plus, which reduces potentially harmful blue light emissions without compromising color. On the back side, the Dell UltraSharp has a connectivity hub with ports for all of your devices. For getting the job done If you just need a simple, office workforce monitor to get the job done, the Dell 24 Monitor delivers. The seamless 24-inch display runs at a high refresh rate for smooth scrolling, and boasts vivid colors for high-contrast and crisp workflows. Quick-access USB ports also make it easy to slot this monitor into your existing work setup, and keep other devices plugged in. For seamless gaming The Alienware 32 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor is sure to impress even the most discerning gamer. This 32-inch screen features 4K resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate to deliver seamless action. The curved display immerses you in your virtual world, while Dolby Vision offers clear contrast between darks and brights. Plus, the adjustable stand gives you customization and a clever way to hide cables. Alienware is currently offering a 10% discount for Dell Rewards members (You can join for free if you're not already a member.) The coupon can be found under the Benefits tab of your Dell Rewards account, and is valid through November 24 and again from December 9 to January 31. For a little bit of everything, everyday Maybe you're not a work-from-home warrior, but you still want a high-quality display for entertainment or light gaming. That's where you'll want to go for the Dell 27 Inch 4K UHD Monitor . This large display offers ultra-high resolution for brilliant visual detail, and AMD FreeSync technology for a smooth gaming experience. The built-in speakers make it an easy pick for your entertainment needs, too. For a budget-friendly choice For the wallet-conscious among us, there's still an option that delivers Dell-quality visuals at a lower price point. This Dell 24 Inch Monitor clocks in at $139.99, and gives you a crisp HD image with blue light-reducing ComfortView technology. This model, which uses 85% post-consumer recyclable plastic, also includes internal speakers and essential connectivity ports. Upgrade your setup with a Dell monitor today Whether you're a remote worker, an avid gamer or use your computer for a little of everything, it's hard to go wrong with a monitor from Dell. Dell's Black Friday sale is a great time to find significant savings when you upgrade your setup. If you purchase a new monitor before December 9, Dell Rewards members receive 2X rewards. And if you're a student with a valid academic email address, you can get an extra 5% off monitors, plus 3% back in Dell Rewards. Don't wait: Check out Dell's holiday deals and upgrade your computer setup with a slick new monitor this year.
Atlassian CEO Michael Cannon-Brookes sells $2.19 million in stock
Throughout the year, in our Women, Money, and Mindset columns , we have tackled some of life’s most pressing financial challenges. Every month, we have delved into a financial issue that touches the lives of our readers, offering, each week, a distinct insight from the differing viewpoints of a Certified Financial Planner, an attorney, a CPA, and an executive business coach. From navigating the financial markets and business strategies to estate planning and tools to cut taxes, our goal has always been to provide clear, practical, actionable advice to take to your trusted professionals so you take the next steps to grow your wealth and increase your financial security. In this final installment of the year, the issue is giving, and the topic this week is Charitable Gift Annuities. It is a strategy that can address multiple financial and tax planning issues while supporting the causes that matter most to you. Unlike giving away cash or assets and not receiving anything in return, with a CGA, if you donate to a 501(c)(3) qualified charity, in return, you receive two powerful benefits. First, you can qualify for an immediate tax deduction for part of the contribution. Second, you receive a dependable, fixed income from the charity for the rest of your life. The minimum contribution is usually only $5,000, so it is an accessible planning tool for most people. Before diving into more specifics, let’s see how a CGA can help with some specific financial and tax planning concerns you might have: —You want to give more to your house of worship or favorite charity but are concerned about not having enough income in the future. With a CGA, you can receive guaranteed income for life. —You need a last-minute tax deduction and have maxed out on your IRA or 401k plan contribution for the year. A CGA can act as an alternate retirement plan if you itemize deductions on your return. —You are interested in giving away more to charity but do not want the complications of setting up a charitable trust or naming a trustee. A CGA can be set up in days directly with the charity at no cost to you. —You intend to leave some or all of your estate to charity and would like to have all of your estate planning finalized now. CGAs are especially helpful if you would like to leave your estate to several charities because you can set up annuities with each charity. —You have adequate income now or are not yet retired, but you are concerned about costs later in life, like long-term care. You can receive a larger monthly payment later if you choose a deferred annuity and start the payments at a later date. —If you are concerned about paying capital gains taxes on assets you want to sell, you can avoid or defer taxes if you contribute the asset to the CGA. —If you would prefer your church or favorite charity to have access to some of your contribution now, a CGA is preferable to a charitable remainder trust or bequest that funds after you have died. —If you want to secure the financial future of your spouse, child, or another loved one, CGAs can be set up for the lives of two individuals. This could be especially helpful if you have a child in their 50s or older, and you are concerned about them not having enough guaranteed retirement income. —If you keep most of your funds in the bank but would like to earn a higher return, the charity invests your CGA funds (and generally considered safe) with usually a fixed rate of return that is higher than you would receive on a CD. —You would like to avoid paying taxes on a required minimum distribution, so you are planning on doing a Qualified Charitable Rollover (QCR). New rules will allow you to fund your CGA with a one-time $53,000 QCR. The QCR amount to your CGA will not be included as income on your return, but you can still receive the monthly income benefit from the CGA, and you can defer income further if you choose a deferred CGA. As you can see, a charitable gift annuity checks many financial and tax planning boxes, and it is easy and cost-effective to set up. Now to the specifics. First, you set up the CGA and donate the asset to the charity. The gift is set aside and invested by the charity. You (and also your spouse or other person if you choose a two-person annuity) will receive fixed monthly or quarterly payments for the rest of your lives. The charity can utilize the remaining funds after your death. How much is the tax deduction? The income tax deduction is equal to the amount of the contribution minus the present value of the payments that will be made to the donors during their lives. The charity will handle these calculations for you. How much income will you receive? Current suggested annuity rates range from 4.6-10.1% for those 50 and older, dependent primarily on your age. (In other words, you would receive $4,600 to $10,100 a year on a $100,000 contribution.) For recommended rates and how they are calculated, go to acga-web.org/current-gift-annuity-rates . The amount you would receive is generally fixed and will never fluctuate or adjust for inflation. But it’s also secured by the charity’s entire assets and will continue regardless of how the investments of the annuity perform. Here is an example. Dennis, 75, and Mary, 73, fund a $50,000 charitable gift annuity with appreciated stock that they originally bought for $20,000. They are eligible for an income tax charitable deduction of $17,584. They will then receive a payment rate of 6%, or $3,000 each year for the remainder of their lives. If you contact your church or charity, they will provide you with information regarding the minimum age, contribution requirements, and rates for their annuities. As you can see, a charitable gift annuity is more than just a financial tool-it’s a way to make a lasting difference while providing for yourself and your loved ones. As you plan for the year ahead, I hope this inspires you to take the next step. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year filled with peace and purpose! Michelle C. Herting is a CPA, accredited in business valuations, and an accredited estate planner specializing in succession planning and estate, gift, and trust taxes. She is also the past president of the Charitable Gift Planners of Inland Southern California. Related ArticlesWavegate Corporation Logo LAKE CHARLES, La. , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wavegate Corporation, a pioneering developer of neuromodulation technology for chronic pain management, has secured a lead investor in their $26 million Series A funding round led by UCEA Capital Partners Ltd., a London -based investment firm. This financing will accelerate the development of Wavegate's proprietary Ellipse TM platform, featuring StimuLux TM technology, designed to provide breakthrough therapeutic solutions for chronic pain patients.
Pete Hegseth: Top Priority if Confirmed to Return the Pentagon to the War FightersNEW YORK , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Grid Dynamics Holdings Inc. (NASD: GDYN) will replace Revelyst Inc. (NYSE: GEAR) in the S&P SmallCap 600 effective prior to the opening of trading on Thursday, January 2 . Strategic Value Partners is acquiring Revelyst in a deal expected to close soon pending final conditions. Following is a summary of the change that will take place prior to the open of trading on the effective date: Effective Date Index Name Action Company Name Ticker GICS Sector Jan 2, 2025 S&P SmallCap 600 Addition Grid Dynamics Holdings GDYN Information Technology Jan 2, 2025 S&P SmallCap 600 Deletion Revelyst GEAR Consumer Discretionary For more information about S&P Dow Jones Indices, please visit www.spdji.com ABOUT S&P DOW JONES INDICES S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets. S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.spdji.com . FOR MORE INFORMATION: S&P Dow Jones Indices index_services@spglobal.com Media Inquiries spdji.comms@spglobal.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grid-dynamics-holdings-set-to-join-sp-smallcap-600-302339444.html SOURCE S&P Dow Jones IndicesUsyk retains world titles The electrifying clash between British Tyson Fury and Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk was watched by millions as all three judges scored the fight in Usyk’s favour by four points. Hence, Usyk retained all four WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight boxing championship belts after beating his rival in Saudi Arabia. In the closely matched contest between the pair, the judges were unanimous in the points decision, with all three scoring the fight 116-112 in Usyk’s favour. I salute Usyk for finding gaps in Fury’s defences, and despite giving up advantages in height, weight and reach to his opponent, Usyk worked hard and smart during the rematch. He landed punches more frequently and with greater vigor and impact. When the fight concluded, Fury left the ring, disappointed at the defeat. Usyk is the first boxer to hold all four heavyweight titles simultaneously since Lennox Lewis did so in 1999. Having retained the championship belts, the 37-year-old Usyk proved that no matter how difficult it was, his will to win took him through. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu Fruit cakes Festive seasons have been around similar to previous years but I believe consumers have been deceived by very attractive packaging of Christmas cakes. The packages contain almost dry cakes with very little pieces of fruit. There are hardly any cherries, orange rinds etc. Several companies wholesale these Christmas delicacies in shops around the country with different prices. Cake lovers should not be lured by colourful packaging but enjoy delicious, moist fruit cakes come 2025. SARITA LAL, Lautoka Power and position There is a proverb which tells us: “Familiarity breeds contempt”. Sometimes, being too long in a position allows complacency to breed. In my view, the Prime Minister of Fiji, in our new constitution, should be limited to no more than two terms of four years, each. No more. A breath of fresh air can be vitalising. There are capable women and men around. Similarly, I am also of the opinion, EFL could do with a wholesome change in the position of CEO. Some modernisation could do well in Fiji’s benefit. Some up-and-coming MBA with required prerequisites, could revitalise the monopoly in power generation. Happy New Year Fiji. RONNIE CHANG , Martintar, Nadi Cabinet reshuffle Prime Minister is very frank in stating that he is loaded with extra work because some of the ministers’ performance are not up to par (FT25/12). Hence the need for a reshuffle. How can some ministers devote more time doing their actual duties when most of the times they are out of the country? And please don’t tell me it is important for them to attend to all the overseas meetings and conferences. We are not that gullible. Despite being assured that there will be a cut down on these junkets as promised during the election, nothing seems to have changed. On the contrary, the size of the delegation appears to have increased. I would urge the PM to also look into this and set ground rules for approving such travels in future. Let’s hope the PM will exercise his prerogative in reassigning the portfolios in a fair and transparent manner to the most capable members of his Cabinet so he is relieved from the nightmare of seeing the files in his sleep. SELWA NANDAN, Lautoka Flooding at Nadi Growing up I got used to referring to the Nausori airport as Luvuluvu, which in Fijian refers to the constant state of being flooded. I believe around the late 1960s major earthworks were undertaken along the Rewa River banks resulting in the flood-free status of the airport we now see. Nadi Town, being the major hub that tourists initially encounter and considering how important tourism is to Fiji, can something similar to Luvuluvu be undertaken for Nadi Town? We have to be thankful for the resilience of the businesses in Nadi, else it will become a deserted town. MAREKO VULI, Sydney, Australia April Fool’s Day? The papers are reporting that Donald Trump wants Greenland as the 51st state or as a protectorate at least. Usually, April Fool’s Day is April 1st, not December 25 but then again with some of the presents given over the decades, it’s not that certain. On the more serious side, Denmark is boosting the defence of Greenland and any increase in military action is always a worry. Does he also know that Greenland is mostly ice and Iceland is mostly green? A lot of 78-year-old seniors start to get confused easily. DENNIS FITZGERALD, Melbourne, Australia Government assistance We have seen a few stories about the Seafaring Entrepreneurial Assistance Programme under which many people have been given boats, trucks, farming equipment and the like. It is always good to see that assistance is provided to people who are driven to succeed. I suspect we will see more and more of this as the election draws closer. My personal view is that people who are most successful are self-driven and motivated and do not rely on or ask for assistance. So, it would be interesting to know how these people who are being given assistance fare in a year’s time. On what basis is this assistance assessed? Is the basis on which the assistance handed out legal and based on equality and fairness? Is this type of assistance given depending on your ethnic background? On another note, what is this fixation with wrapping the boats, trucks and equipment with reels and reels of tapa cloth? I saw a report recently where even a new gravel road was adorned with tapa cloth. When did this tradition kick in? Where was the cake and the salusalu or is it the case that I will not understand because I am a vulagi? In addition, what is the fixation about ministers and assistant ministers having pictures plastered in newspapers and social media handing out this assistance. Is that to show us what a good job they are doing? They can pretend in the pictures all they want because I believe they are doing a hopeless job. JAN NISSAR, Sydney, Australia PM’s Christmas message Two years in office, and PM Sitiveni Rabuka has gone through a lot. Age is fast catching up and the PM has had to endure a lot in taking the People’s Coalition Government forward. I thank him for his patience and steadfastness in steering the nation forward ahead of challenges posed by the rise in crime rate, cases of drug abuse, violence and murder, littering, drop in literacy and numeracy rates and rise in cost of living. As Fijians celebrated Christmas, the PM reminded Fijians that Christmas was not just a celebration, but it was a time for peace, forgiveness and unity. As he spoke about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, he reiterated how that humble beginning was a reminder of God’s desire to bring people closer to him. He added that Christmas allowed us to focus on healing, restoring relationships and coming together as a community. Furthermore, the PM urged Fijians to seek inspiration from the teachings of Jesus, focusing on reconciliation, unconditional love, kindness, selflessness, sacrifice, compassion, care for each other, and the ability to forgive and seek forgiveness. He concluded on a positive note, hoping that our beloved Fiji would continue to grow in the spirit of love, hope and reconciliation. I thank the PM for his service to our nation. Two years and two more to go! A lot has to be done in terms of addressing the pressing issues faced by many Fijians. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu Municipal council CEOs The Local Government Ministry has reportedly begun the process of recruiting individuals to take on the roles of chief executive officers across ten of Fiji’s municipal councils. I believe the individuals who are to be appointed had applied in accordance with the advertisement. According to the advertisement, these leadership positions are critical for ensuring the efficient delivery of municipal services, overseeing transformative projects and spearheading key reforms. It is to be noted that most of the CEO positions have been vacant for a while because of the departure and expiry of contracts of individuals who had been there. It is good to know that the positions were publicly advertised which gives everyone a fair chance and opportunity to apply. The advertisement highlighted that the ministry is seeking candidates who could drive municipal operations toward modernisation, address community needs and promote sustainable practices. The councils seeking new CEOs are: Ba, Labasa, Lami, Lautoka, Levuka, Nadi, Tavua, Rakiraki, Savusavu. As a ratepayer, I am pleased to know that this process was taking place finally. Last but not the least, we hope that only the best candidates and candidates who are appropriately experienced and qualified are selected. We have seen enough of appointments made along party lines. Please don’t do that. SURESH CHAND, Nadi Thank you WHY should I say thank you today if I’m hoping for the best tomorrow, for you and I. AREKI DAWAI, Suva Difficult two years A VERY difficult two years, says PM (FT 25/12) of governing the country under a Coalition Government. Their consolation is the hefty pay rise they were able to give themselves. I believe the last two years were so much more difficult for the ordinary people of Fiji from what I gather from the public reaction to the quality of political leadership and governance in Fiji. Is the “people-centred” Rabuka government aware of that? RAJEND NAIDU, Sydney, Australia Rainy Christmas SUBSTANTIAL rainfall is anticipated in the western region this Christmas season. Given the current nationwide flash flooding and heavy precipitation, caution is advised. I urge everyone to prioritise safety and support one another during this time. JAHEED BUKSH, Sigatoka There is tomorrow SHALL we indulge in alcohol consumption on December 31 like there is no tomorrow? While there is reason to celebrate the coming of another year, let us be reasonable and make the work of our law enforcement officers easier and more importantly, our neighbours deserve a safe environment. By the way, may 2025 bring forth opportunities and challenges which allow us and our families to grow from strength to strength. FLOYD ROBINSON, Mirconesia Damaged ships MY request to the Coalition Government to stop handing new multi-million dollar Navy vessels to the Fiji military and Navy until they can first demonstrate that they not only have the capacity but also the discipline and the maturity to be entrusted with a significant national asset. SAVERIO BALEIKANACEA , Delainavesi, Lami Holding office ARE there any current female or male politicians around the globe that have a naughty video or pictures available publicly, but are still holding onto office? AREKI DAWAI, Suva Unkept resolutions IF resolutions are meant to be broken, then you’re just making them in jest, so when you make a list of them, you’re just adding to the long pile instead. Just do what you can, honestly and diligently, promises will remain just that, unless you’ll follow them up faithfully! EDWARD BLAKELOCK, Pacific Harbour
Jimmy Carter was a president, a peacemaker, a public health champion — and my friend. When he left the White House, Carter used the power of his name, character and influence to work on challenges that were too obscure or daunting for others to deal with. I believe he did it because he felt it was the right thing to do. His humble beginnings as a farm boy in southern Georgia helped him relate to the challenges and aspirations of everyday people, respectfully partnering with them to improve their own lives. I worked closely with Carter as vice president for health programs at the Carter Center and later as special adviser to the center’s Guinea Worm Eradication Program. I traveled with him to various places, mostly in Africa, an average of once a year from 1988 to 2010. Those trips involved long flights and sometimes lengthy rides to remote villages, giving us ample opportunity to talk about everything from birding to boatbuilding to genealogy. In 2007, we flew separately — he from Atlanta and I from Chicago, where I live — to start a visit to four countries. My flight ran into trouble early and had to return to O’Hare International Airport. It was unnerving. When my wife, Ernie, and I finally arrived in Ghana a day late, Carter greeted me with a big hug. I suffered a near-fatal heart attack in early 2015. Later that year, I was sitting outside a Carter Center conference room, waiting for a meeting to begin, when Carter and his Secret Service detail strode by on their way to his office. I expected only a wave, but he diverted his course and came over to give me another warm embrace. The last time I saw Cater and his wife, Rosalynn, was at their 75 th wedding anniversary celebration in 2021 in Plains, Georgia. He was frail after a recent hospital stay, but he soldiered on. He didn’t just shake my hand; he kissed it. Carter’s kindness belied his physical and mental toughness. During our final trip together, to South Sudan in 2010, he and his wife had contracted a stomach ailment in Khartoum, but he pushed through it and attended a series of political meetings in Juba. The next day, we took a very long drive in brutal heat to survey the Guinea worm situation in Terekeka, and he confessed to me, “I would not have been able to do this trip yesterday.” Carter used his toughness strategically. In 1995, during the Sudanese civil war, I was on the trip when he persuaded John Garang, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement, to agree to a humanitarian ceasefire. Accompanied by CNN’s bureau chief from Nairobi, Carter presented his truce proposal to a reluctant President Omar al-Bashir. He warned al-Bashir that he was going to announce that Garang agreed to the truce; he gave al-Bashir the option of showing the world that he either agreed to a humanitarian ceasefire or insisted on war. Al-Bashir caved, and together they announced the famed “Guinea worm ceasefire” that night. Carter and his wife witnessed their first Guinea worm cases during a visit to two villages in Ghana in 1988. “We really need to do more to help these people,” he said. The Carter Center, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF acted immediately, and a year later, there were almost no cases in those villages. However, by 2006, the Ghana program was struggling. A pumping station in Savelugu had broken down, leaving people exposed to potentially contaminated drinking water, and officials had failed to repair it. Carter was very angry, as was I. In August 2006, we invited Ghanaian health officials to Atlanta, where Carter questioned them sharply. He warned them that he planned to visit in six months. That lit a fire under them to get the pumping station fixed and reform the program. Unfortunately, the complacency of 2006 led to a large outbreak in January 2007, with more than 1,000 cases in Savelugu, including many children. Carter witnessed the disaster firsthand the following month. At a news conference, he threatened to rename the disease “Ghana worm.” In 2008, Ghana reduced its cases by 85%. Ghana is now Guinea worm-free. Hawah Alhassan, 5, in Tingoli Village near Tamale, Ghana, in 2007. She was her village’s last Guinea worm victim because of the eradication program. (Wes Pope/Chicago Tribune) In 2015, Carter said he wanted to see the last Guinea worm die before he did. That’s not likely to happen, but he’s gotten very close: There were just 14 human cases last year. I am sorry I won’t get to see his pleasure when we make Guinea worm the second human disease to be eradicated. We’ll keep working and praying to make it happen soon, knowing of his confidence that we will see it through. Dr. Donald R. Hopkins is a special adviser for Guinea worm eradication and former vice president for health programs with the Carter Center. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com .ZT Corporate’s 27th Annual Chairman’s Gala: A Night of Glamour, Visionary Leadership, and Unforgettable Moments
Jailed PKK Leader open to working with Turkey, DEM Says
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